DEO mixed messages about Regular UI extension - is my benefit really ending this month?

The same thing happened to me last week. After digging through the DEO website, I found that there are two different things happening: 1) Regular UI benefits are ending on their normal schedule (your July 22 date), and 2) The email is referring to the special program extension which you have to separately apply for through the "Apply for Benefits" section of CONNECT. The communication from DEO has been terrible about this. You'll need to submit a new application specifically requesting the extension BEFORE your current benefits end.

this happened to my gf too. she was FREAKING OUT. turns out she needed to do the quarterly review thing and check some box. call them asap

There's a lot of confusion about this right now. What's happening is that DEO is transitioning people from Regular UI to the new Extended Benefit program, but you have to qualify and apply. The key differences: 1. Regular UI lasts 12 weeks in Florida (your July 22 end date) 2. The Extended program can go until September BUT you need to meet additional eligibility requirements 3. You must complete a fact-finding questionnaire in CONNECT 4. Work search requirements increase from 5 to 7 activities per week Check your inbox section in CONNECT - there should be a fact-finding document you need to complete. If you don't see it, you need to call DEO directly to have them add it to your account. This is time-sensitive and must be done before your current benefits end.

I GOT THE SAME EMAIL!!!! Then got a letter in the mail saying something completely different. DEO is seriously the most incompetent agency ever. I've been trying to call for 3 days straight and can't get through to anyone. This is ridiculous!

After fighting with DEO for months about a similar issue, I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to a live agent within 30 minutes. It basically keeps redialing for you until you get through. Website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj I was super skeptical, but after trying on my own for days, this actually worked. The agent I spoke with confirmed that I needed to complete a special fact-finding questionnaire to transition to the extended program. Be prepared to wait on hold once you do get through though - I was on hold for about 40 minutes after connecting.

Just to add to the confusion... I recently went through this exact thing and discovered that the dates showing in CONNECT are often wrong anyway. My benefit expiration showed June 10, but after completing the extension paperwork, they backdated everything and I had no gap in payments. The most important thing is to look for that fact-finding questionnaire in your CONNECT inbox. If it's not there, keep calling DEO until someone helps you.

I work with a local career center that partners with DEO. What you're experiencing is confusing but fairly common. Here's what you need to know: 1. Regular UI benefits in Florida last for 12 weeks maximum 2. The extended benefits program requires a separate evaluation 3. You MUST continue claiming weeks without interruption during the transition 4. The critical step is completing the fact-finding questionnaire If you don't see the questionnaire in your CONNECT inbox, it's usually because of one of three reasons: - Your claim hasn't been flagged for potential extension yet (this happens automatically about 2 weeks before your end date) - There's a technical issue with your CONNECT account - You might not meet the preliminary criteria for extension To resolve this, you need to speak with a DEO representative. Call early morning (7:30-8:00am) or late afternoon (3:30-4:00pm) when call volumes are lower. Be prepared with your claimant ID and the date your benefits are set to expire according to CONNECT.

I used that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier and finally got through to DEO this afternoon. Wanted to update you on what they told me. The agent said: 1. The email about September was a mass communication that doesn't apply to everyone 2. Your CONNECT account showing the July date is the accurate one 3. You need to submit a new application for the extension 4. If you qualify, it's usually processed within 5-7 business days The most important thing is that you need to call them to verify YOUR specific situation since everyone's claim is different. Hope this helps!

UPDATE: I finally got through to DEO this morning! For anyone else dealing with this issue, here's what I learned: 1. The email WAS confusing - the September date only applies if you qualify for the extension 2. I did need to complete a special fact-finding questionnaire that wasn't showing up in my CONNECT inbox 3. The agent manually added it to my account while I was on the phone 4. I have to submit it within 7 days 5. If approved, there shouldn't be any gap in payments The agent said they're getting flooded with calls about this same issue. Apparently the system was supposed to automatically add the questionnaire to eligible accounts, but there's been a technical glitch affecting some users. So glad I kept trying to reach them!